The Paradox of Curated Content: AI, Journalism, and the Human Touch
Bob Hutchins, MSc
Bridging silicon and soul in the age of thinking machines. AI Consultant, Advisor and Instructor, Marketing exec. PhD Researcher in Generative AI. EdTech. Author. Speaker. Media Ecology. Mental Health Advocate
When desired information is just a click away, have we ever stopped to consider how curated our news and content truly are? AI management of our information and news is nothing new. We have been allowing machine algorithms to do this for us for almost two decades now. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, the way we consume and process information is evolving even faster, raising important questions about the role of human curation and the value of personal connection in a digital age.
The Evolution of Curated Information
Up until recently and even still today, algorithms and search engine optimization (SEO) techniques have the primary drivers of content curation and traffic. Websites and articles were tailored to rank higher in search results, shaping the information users consumed. But now we find ourselves at the precipice of a new era – the age of AI-curated content.
Google's recent AI search updates, which generated both excitement and controversy, represent the next step in this evolution. By leveraging advanced language models, Google aimed to provide users with comprehensive, AI-generated summaries at the top of search results. But the rollout was met with a series of inaccuracies and errors, prompting the tech giant to scale back the feature and refine its approach. This episode underscores the complexity and challenges inherent in relying on AI for content curation.
AI's role in content curation is not limited to search engines. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter also employ AI algorithms to curate the content users see on their feeds. These algorithms are designed to maximize engagement by showing users content that is most likely to capture their attention. However, this approach has led to concerns about the creation of echo chambers, where users are primarily exposed to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. The implications of such a system are profound, as it can contribute to polarization and the spread of misinformation.
Implications for Journalists and Content Writers
As AI continues to make inroads into content curation, concerns about job security and relevance have understandably arisen within the journalism and writing communities. The fear of being replaced by machines is a valid one, but it also presents an opportunity for these professionals to double down on what sets them apart – the ability to produce high-quality, nuanced, and ethically sound content.
While AI may excel at aggregating and synthesizing information, it is the human touch that breathes life into stories, adds context, and ensures accuracy and accountability. The rise of AI in content curation could paradoxically push journalists and writers to raise their game, focusing on the aspects of their craft that machines cannot replicate. This dynamic may foster a renewed emphasis on investigative journalism, narrative depth, and ethical reporting.
After all, Google wants to provide its users with the best, highest quality, most accurate search results in the new ‘answer engine’ model they are moving toward. This seems to be like SEO 2.0 in a way. Find out how Google determines these answers and then create high-quality content.
AI tools can also assist journalists in their work by automating routine tasks such as transcription, data analysis, and fact-checking. These tools can free up time for journalists to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work. However, the reliance on AI for these tasks also raises questions about the potential for bias and error in the algorithms, highlighting the need for human oversight and critical thinking.
The Human Touch in a Digital Environment
As AI curates more and more of our content, the value of human connection and personal touch becomes increasingly apparent. In a world where algorithms and language models shape our information landscape, people seek out personalized and human-curated experiences that resonate with them on a deeper level. The impersonal nature of AI-generated content often lacks the emotional resonance and authenticity that human curation provides.
This desire for authenticity and human connection has fueled the resurgence of a seemingly antiquated medium – email newsletters. Once considered a relic of the early internet era, email newsletters have experienced a renaissance in recent years, offering a nostalgic yet effective way to deliver curated content directly to people's inboxes? .
Nostalgia and Resurgence of Email Newsletters and “newspapers”.
Email newsletters have been around since the early days of the internet, serving as a way for individuals and organizations to share information and updates with their audiences. While they fell out of favor for a time, overshadowed by the rise of social media and other digital platforms, email newsletters have made a remarkable comeback in recent years. This resurgence can be attributed to several factors, including the desire for a more personal and curated experience, as well as the growing fatigue with the constant barrage of information on social media.
领英推荐
Email newsletters offer a respite from the noise, delivering carefully curated content directly to subscribers' inboxes. And with the rise of platforms like Substack, it has made it easier than ever for writers, journalists, and subject matter experts to launch and monetize their own email newsletters, further fueling the trend. This platform enables creators to maintain control over their content and foster a direct relationship with their audience, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers.
The resurgence of email newsletters also reflects a broader trend toward subscription-based models in media. As advertising revenues decline, many media organizations are turning to subscriptions as a more sustainable revenue stream. Email newsletters fit well within this model, providing a steady flow of content that keeps subscribers engaged and invested in the publication.
In many ways, email newsletters have become the modern-day equivalent of traditional newspapers. They offer a sense of trust and reliability that is often lacking in the vast expanse of the internet. Just as people once eagerly awaited the arrival of their daily newspaper, they now look forward to the arrival of their favorite email newsletters in their inboxes.
Studies by the Pew Research Center and insights from media experts suggest that email newsletters are perceived as more trustworthy and engaging than many other digital formats. This is likely due to the personal connection fostered by the direct delivery to one's inbox, as well as the curation and editorial oversight involved in producing these newsletters. The careful selection and presentation of content in newsletters create a sense of reliability and intimacy that algorithm-driven feeds often lack.
Email newsletters also allow for a level of editorial control that is increasingly rare in the age of social media. Writers and editors can curate the content they believe is most valuable and relevant to their audience, without the interference of algorithms designed to maximize clicks and engagement. This editorial independence contributes to the sense of trust and credibility that email newsletters can provide.
As AI continues to shape the way we consume and process information, the role of email newsletters as a trusted and human-curated source of content is likely to become even more pronounced. This trend underscores the enduring value of human curation in an increasingly automated world.
The future of content curation will likely involve a delicate balance between AI and human journalism, with each playing a vital role in shaping the way we consume and process information. As we embrace the advancements of AI, we must also remain vigilant in preserving the human touch that makes our stories truly resonate. This balance will be crucial in maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the information we rely on in our daily lives.
Citations:
Learning Scientist | Future-proofing orgs with IT process innovation
5 个月Intriguing topic! Maintaining human authenticity alongside AI-driven content is vital for credibility.